Australia, 21 December 2016:CEA backedcreative-tech startup, TrademarkVision, has announced the release of its ‘deep learning’ algorithms to further enhance its world leading image recognition technology.

Law firms and corporates around the world leverage TrademarkVision to protect brands through visual search. However, highlighting the impact the new technology is having on the industry, the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), one of the largest IP government bodies in the world, has become the first government to officially launch TrademarkVision’s technology in its eSearch platform on 10 December. This followed a successful beta trial that saw around 1,000 trademark image searches conducted per day.

The integration of the ‘deep learning’ algorithms into TrademarkVision’s already sophisticated image recognition technology now allows for advanced detection of objects, as opposed to other algorithms that compare attributes such as shape and texture. Entrepreneurs can ensure that their Intellectual Property (IP) is unique, with the technology able to search trademark images automatically – reducing a laborious, manual search process down to just seconds.

Based out of QUT Creative Enterprise Australia’s (CEA) incubator, TrademarkVision was an early recipient of CEA’s dedicated creative-tech Startup Fund and continues to work closely with the startup organisation as it strives to scale out its advanced technology to additional global government bodies.

CEO of QUT Creative Enterprise Australia, Anna Rooke, said the growth of TrademarkVision is testament to how Australian creative-tech startups can be game-changing.

“TrademarkVision’s new technology being adopted by the EUIPO is a huge achievement for the company. TrademarkVision has developed a creative-tech solution that will implement high-level change as to how brands worldwide will manage their IP in the future. The EUIPO is one of many government entities integrating with TrademarkVision, and the new year will see some further announcements as they change the course of the industry.

“Results like this is why we worked so hard to establish the CEA Startup Fund, so we can provide support for entrepreneurs in the creative space who are building products of huge impact,” added Ms Rooke.

Founder and CEO of TrademarkVision, Sandra Mau said that the CEA Startup Fund investment and ongoing support has been a welcome backing in her long-term vision to use image recognition technology to protect brands and drive innovation.

“When you come across a logo, it’s easy to compare it with your own, but when you want to compare it to millions, suddenly the task becomes very daunting. For anyone who has ever wanted to create a unique logo or ensure their IP is safe from possible infringement, they know this process can take hours, days and sometimes weeks.

“We’re grateful for the support from the CEA team and Startup Fund that has backed our mission to overhaul this process, globally. TrademarkVision’s technology cuts trademark, brand and logo searches down to seconds. Our technology has the potential to not only improve brand owner’s lives, but completely change the game of brand protection,” added Ms Mau.

The CEA Startup Fund – established by QUT Creative Enterprise Australia in 2013 – is the first and only dedicated investment fund specialising in accelerating the growth of creative tech companies. The fund, which offers between $25,000 for pre-seed stage and $150,000 for early-stage businesses, is available for commercial investment in high-growth, scalable businesses in Australia.

The CEA Startup Fund currently has funding remaining to support two more Australian creative-tech ventures in 2016.

CEA helps start, grow, scale and connect creative companies. Providing essential business skills and mentoring focused on company growth and investment, CEA accelerates companies with a focus on design, fashion, entertainment, photography, music, film and television, digital technology, games and interactive content.

Since 2008, CEA has established more than 50 startups, engaged with 4,000 entrepreneurs, supported over 500 creative industries businesses on site and raised over $60m in capital.CEA offers access to workspace, business mentoring, special events, networks, research expertise and capital to foster the growth of the creative industries in Australia.

Launched in 2013, TrademarkVision is a technology startup creating advanced image recognition solutions to help protect brands. The technology is currently used by multiple government IP offices as well as leading law firms and corporates around the world.

In late-2016, TrademarkVision launched its ‘deep learning’ algorithms and other machine learning algorithms for the world’s first semantic image search for logos, enabling the system to recognise objects like humans do. The world leading technology offers the most intelligent trademark image search on the market. For a free trial of TrademarkVision go to www.trademark.vision/start and to take a look at their latest research projects visit www.trademark.vision/labs